The Buffalo Sabres started the 2026-27 season on a down note as they lost 6-3 to the Columbus Blue Jackets. However, they can't let that performance linger or carry over, as they are set to have their home opener against the Chicago Blackhawks on Saturday night.
It is still early in the season, but this is a pivotal stretch for the Sabres as it is the first of five straight home games. Last season, the Sabres were one of the better home teams with a 26-10-5 record, but that success didn't carry over into the playoffs as they went 2-3-2 across the two playoff series.
When looking ahead to the Sabres hitting the home ice against the Blackhawks, these are three players fans should keep an eye on as they could have major impacts on the final outcome.
Josh Doan
One player who flew a bit under the radar in Columbus but had a solid game was Josh Doan, who is beginning the season on the Sabres' top line alongside Tage Thompson and Josh Norris. He finished the game against the Blue Jackets with three shots on goal, two hits, and one takeaway with 19 minutes of ice time that also included over four minutes on the power play.
The power play is the one area that the Sabres need to improve on after going 0-for-5 against Columbus, and somewhere Doan can certainly help. He does a good job getting in close to the net and cleaning up those loose pucks in front, but he will need help from his teammates to get those pucks into that area.
Doan is one of those players who does a lot of little things that help a team be successful that and sometimes go unnoticed. He will have another chance to show why he is so valuable to this team against the Blackhawks.
Olen Zellweger
Olen Zellweger will make his Buffalo Sabres' debut in the home opener after not clearing concussion protocol in time to play against the Columbus Blue Jackets. The Sabres acquired Zellweger from the Ducks shortly after they traded Bowen Byram to Chicago.
It will be easy to compare the performances of the two players on Saturday with them both on the ice together. The expectation has always been that Zellweger would be paired with Owen Power, and after a shaky performance with Power and Louis Crevier together in Columbus, it makes sense for the coaching staff to put Zellweger with Power to begin the game.
The challenge will be how much familiarity Power and Zellweger have been able to build with limited ice time together. Zellweger appeared in only one preseason game and didn't finish that game after suffering a concussion against the Blue Jackets.
Colten Ellis or Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen
Lindy Ruff didn't want to name a starter on Friday in a bit of gamemanship, but regardless of who is in net, they are entering with very different storylines and reasons to watch closely.
If Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen is in net, he is going to want to put the game against the Blue Jackets behind him. He finished the game allowing five goals on 27 shots in what was one of his worst performances dating back to last season.
If it is Colten Ellis who gets the start, this is a great opportunity to begin carving out a bigger role this season. The Sabres still have three goalies on the roster, and it is unclear what the rotation might look like. Last season, the coaching staff typically went with the hot hand, and Ellis is coming off a preseason where he had a save percentage of .931 after stopping 41 of 44 shots.
With Alex Lyon still working his way back from a shoulder injury, a good performance by Ellis could have the coaching staff rethinking what the rotation in net might look like to begin the season.
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